Shrub rose plant named &#39;radsweet&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of shrub rose plant is provided which forms in abundance on a substantially continuous basis attractive single blossoms that are light pink in coloration. The vegetation is vigorous and strong and the growth habit is compact, spreading, and mounding. Attractive ornamental leathery medium-green foliage having a matte finish is formed. Excellent resistance with respect to blackspot and rose midge is displayed. The new variety is particularly well suited for growing as distinctive ornamentation in the landscape.

BOTANICAL/COMMERCIAL CLASSIFICATION

Rosa hybrida/Shrub Rose Plant

VARIETAL DENOMINATION

cv. Radsweet

Summary of the Invention

The new variety of Rosa hybrida shrub rose plant of the presentinvention was created at Greenfield, Wis., U.S.A., by artificialpollination wherein two parents were crossed which previously had beenstudied in the hope that they would contribute the desiredcharacteristics. The female parent (i.e., the seed parent) was the‘Radtee’ variety (non-patented in the United States). The male parent(i.e., the pollen parent) of the new variety was the ‘Radral’ variety(non-patented in the United States). The parentage of the new varietycan be summarized as follows:‘Radtee’×‘Radral’.

The seeds resulting from the above pollination were sown and smallplants were obtained which were physically and biologically differentfrom each other. Selective study resulted in the identification of asingle plant of the new variety.

I was attracted to the new variety primarily because of its distinctivelight pink blossom coloration and attractive foliage. When mature theblossoms were found to assume an even lighter pink apple-blossomcoloration approaching white particularly when exposed to increasingtemperatures.

It was found that the new shrub rose plant of the present inventionpossesses the following combination of characteristics:

-   -   (a) abundantly and substantially continuously forms attractive        single blossoms that are light pink in coloration,    -   (b) exhibits a compact, spreading, and mounding growth habit,    -   (c) forms vigorous vegetation,    -   (d) forms attractive leathery medium-green foliage with a matte        finish, and    -   (e) exhibits excellent resistance to blackspot and rose midge.

A new rose variety is provided having attractive light-pink blossomscombined with a propensity for everblooming and disease resistance. Theblooming cycle corresponds closely to that of the ‘Radrazz’ variety(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 11,836). The foliage displays a sweetbriarfragrance.

The new variety well meets the needs of the horticultural industry. Itcan be grown to advantage as ornamentation in parks, gardens, publicareas, and in residential settings. The new variety is particularly wellsuited for providing attractive ornamentation in the landscape. Thelight-pink blossoms contrast nicely with the medium-green foliage.

The new variety of the present invention also can be readilydistinguished from its ancestors through an inspection of the blossoms.More specifically, the ‘Radtee’ variety forms smaller flowers with morepetals that tend to lack the ability to self-clean. Also, the newvariety displays more of a sweetbriar foliage fragrance than that of the‘Radtee’ variety. The ‘Radral’ variety forms even lighter pink blossoms,a taller growth habit, glossy foliage, and displays less diseaseresistance that the new variety. Also, the foliage of ‘Radral’ varietylacks a sweetbriar foliage fragrance unlike the foliage of the newvariety.

The characteristics of the new variety have been found at Waso, Calif.,U.S.A., and near West Grove, Pa., U.S.A., to be homogeneous and stableand to be strictly transmissible by asexual propagation such as budding,grafting, and the rooting of cuttings from one generation to another.The new variety reproduces true to type by such asexual propagation.

The new variety has been named ‘Radsweet’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs show, as nearly true as it is reasonablypossible to make the same in color illustrations of this character,typical specimens of the new variety. The illustrated rose plants of thenew variety were approximately two years of age and were observed duringJuly while growing outdoors in the ground on their own roots near WestGrove, Pa., U.S.A.

FIG. 1 shows typical blossoms in various stages of maturity and a bud ofthe new variety.

FIG. 2 shows a flowering plant wherein the attractive compact growthhabit and foliage are illustrated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The chart used in the identification of colors is that of The RoyalHorticultural Society (R.H.S. Colour Chart), London, England. Thedescription is based on the observation of two-year-old specimens of thenew variety during July while growing outdoors in the ground on theirown roots near West Grove, Pa., U.S.A.

-   Class: Landscape Shrub.-   Plant:    -   -   Height.—approximately 75 to 100 cm on average at the end of            the growing season.        -   Width.—approximately 75 to 100 cm on average at the end of            one growing season.        -   Habit.—compact, spreading, and mounding.-   Branches:    -   -   Color.—young stems: slightly glaucous, and commonly near            Yellow-Green Group 144A, 144B, and 144C.        -   Thorns.—size: approximately 1 to 1.6 cm in length on            average, and approximately 0.8 to 1.2 cm in width at the            base parallel to the stem. The larger thorns typically are            present near the base of the more vigorously growing stems            that become flowering shoots. shape: the upper edge tends to            be more or less straight and to point downwards at an angle            of approximately 25 to 40° below the horizontal, the lower            edge commonly is convex when viewed from above, and the base            configuration is slightly ovate with some narrowing towards            the base. quantity: at the lower portion of a flowering stem            approximately 8 to 12 thorns on average are present over a            length of 15 cm, and at the upper portion of a flowering            stem very few thorns are present of any size. color:            variable and commonly near Green Group 138B, 138C, and 139C            with some purplish color in the greatest concentration near            Greyed-Purple Group 185A at the base which tends to appears            as a wash.-   Leaves:    -   -   Size.—approximately 8 to 16 cm in length, and approximately            8 to 15 cm in width. The overall size has been found to vary            greatly. Leaves measuring outside the specified ranges            sometimes appear with their size being influenced by the            time within the growing season, the plant vigor being            displayed, location on the stem, and environmental and            cultural conditions being experienced. The leaves with fewer            leaflets tend to display the smaller overall leaf size.        -   Stipules.—configuration: revolute with two prominent            reflexed horns and an elliptical body. length: approximately            1.3 to 2.9 cm (average approximately 1.9 cm) from the tip of            the base to the tip of the longest horn. width:            approximately 0.5 to 1.2 cm (average approximately 0.8 cm)            across the tips of the horns, and approximately 0.3 to 0.8            cm (average approximately 0.6 cm) at the widest portion of            the body. color (young wings): near Greyed-Purple Group 185A            on the upper surface and near Greyed-Purple 186A on the            under surface. color (mature wings): near Green Group 137A            on the upper surface and near Green Group 137B on the under            surface. margin: serrulate to dentriculate with each tooth            commonly being terminated with a reddish somewhat stiff            hardened tip. texture: wings of young stipules tend to be            glaucous, and wings of mature stipules tend to bear short            reddish hairs at the margin and near the petiole having            lengths approximately 0.1 to 0.2 mm that are near            Greyed-Purple Group 187A and 187B in coloration.        -   Petioles.—length: typically approximately 1.5 to 2.5 cm, and            most commonly approximately 1.7 to 2.0 cm. diameter:            typically approximately 1.3 to 2.0 mm, and most commonly            approximately 1.3 to 1.5 mm. color (upper surface): near            Green Group 137B and 138A. color (under surface):            Yellow-Green Group 144A and 146C. texture (upper surface):            bear stiff glandular hairs having lengths of approximately            0.1 to 0.5 mm. texture (under surface): also bear such stiff            glandular hairs but commonly at a lesser frequency, and bear            a few scattered minute reddish prickles that are near            Greyed-Purple Group 186A in coloration and typically are            approximately 0.8 to 1.2 mm in length and most commonly            approximately 0.8 to 1.2 mm in length. Also, each petiole            commonly bears 1 or 2 larger prickles; however, up to 5            prickles sometimes have been observed.        -   Petiolules.—the upper and lower surfaces commonly are near            Red-Purple Group 187A in coloration.        -   Rachis.—length: typically approximately 1.0 to 2.5 cm, and            most commonly approximately 1.8 to 2.0 cm. diameter:            typically approximately 1.0 to 2.1 mm, and most commonly            approximately 1.3 to 1.6 mm. color (upper surface): when            mature near Yellow-Green Groups 146B, and commonly with some            coloration of near Green Group 137C and Yellow-Green Group            146C. color (under surface): when mature near Green Group            143C and Yellow-Green Group 146C. texture: similar to that            of the petioles.        -   Leaflets.—number: 3, 5, and 7 (with 3 and 5 being more            common). arrangement: alternate and odd-pinnately compound.            shape: narrowly elliptical to elliptical to slightly ovate.            size: terminal leaflets typically are 5.5 to 8.5 cm            (commonly 6.5 to 7.5 cm) in length, and typically are 2.5 to            4.5 cm (commonly 3 to 4 cm) in width. base: broadly rounded            to broadly cuneate to inequilaterus or strongly obtuse.            apex: broadly acuminate to abruptly acuminate. margins:            serrate to serrulate that commonly is slightly to            occasionally strongly revolute. texture: leathery with a            matte finish. overall appearance: very dense, and medium            green in coloration. color (young foliage): both surfaces            are near Greyed-Purple Group 187A and 187B over a green base            coloration, and the venation may include coloration of            Red-Purple Group 59A, and the margins when undergoing            development may include coloration of Red-Purple Group 59A            and Greyed-Purple Group 185A. color (adult foliage): upper            surface: near Green Group 137A on the lighter foliage and            near Green Group 139A on the darker foliage. under surface:            near Greyed-Green Group 191A commonly with veins near            Yellow-Green Group 146C.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Number of flowers.—commonly approximately 2 to 3 blooms on            average in a cluster, occasionally solitary, sometimes up to            5 or more blooms in a cluster, and as many as 40 blooms have            been observed on a vigorous stem during some observations.        -   Sepals.—length: commonly approximately 18 to 27 mm, and            approximately 22 mm on average. width: commonly            approximately 4 to 7 mm at the widest point, and            approximately 5.5 mm on average. extensions: commonly            present and feathery foliaceous, the frequency often ranges            from 0 to 6 or more plus an expanded feathery tip, typically            the shortest sepal has no foliaceous extensions, typically            the next shortest sepal has no foliaceous extensions or            occassionally 1 and rarely 2 foliaceous extensions,            typically the third shortest extension has 2 or 3 and            occasionally 4 foliaceous extensions, and typically the 2            longest sepals have 4 or 5 and occasionally 6 foliaceous            extensions plus the longest and most feathered tips. apex:            commonly narrowly acuminate to acuminate when lacking a            foliaceous extension. base: commonly fused to the receptacle            and to adjoining sepals, and hence there is no distinct base            configuration. overall shape: substantially lanceolate.            texture: the interior surface commonly is moderately densely            covered with a silvery-white lanate hairs giving an            effective color of near White Group 155C with a light            greenish hue to the hairs which overlay green base tissue,            at the margins small reddish-tipped glandular hairs            typically are present which commonly are approximately 0.1            to 0.5 mm in length and tend to be more common on sepals            which bear foliaceous extensions, and such glandular hairs            are also commonly sparsely scattered across the outer            surfaces of the sepals and are common on sepals which bear            foliaceous extensions. color: commonly near Green Group            137C, 143A, and 143B, and Yellow-Green Group 144A and 144B.            On the outer surface the foliaceous extensions commonly            appear to be somewhat transparent and bear coloration of            Greyed-Purple Group 187B with some green showing through.            number: five.        -   Buds.—shape: generally ovoid. length: approximately 1.3 to            1.5 cm on average. diameter: approximately 0.8 to 1.2 cm.            size: small. color (at bud crack): commonly Red-Purple Group            63C. color (during further opening): rapidly lightens and            changes to near and through Red-Purple Group 62A, 62B, 62C,            and Red Group 36D.        -   Flower.—form: single. shape: informal. diameter: commonly            approximately 5 to 7 cm on average during mid-summer, and is            somewhat variable depending upon the time of the year and            the vigor the plant. color (when blooming): upper surface:            the distal portions commonly are near Red-Purple Group 62A,            62B, and 62C, to near White Group 155D, and with the inner            petals sometimes displaying darker areas of Red-Purple Group            68A and 68B which in some instances may appear as thin            lines. The veins tend to impart no different coloration and            may be substantially colorless. under surface: when fully            open the coloration tends to be substantially the same as            that of the upper surface. Red-Purple Group 73C may            predominate towards the tip with occasional darker areas of            Red-Purple Group 73A and 73B. This coloration lightens with            maturity to Red-Purple Group 62C and 62D to near White Group            155D and near Yellow Group 4C and 4D at the base. Occasional            spots and darker areas of Red-Purple Group 68A and 68B are            present. lastingness: the coloration is somewhat sensitive            to heat and light which tend to lighten the initial pink            coloration. Flowers that develop during the hotter months            display coloration that is lighter pink and fades to near            apple-blossom white. During the cooler months the flowers            are medium-light pink in coloration. fragrance: light. petal            form: narrowly to broadly obovate. petal number:            approximately 6 to 11, and commonly 7 to 9 on average. petal            base: narrowly cuneate to cuneate to narrowly rounded to            rounded. petal apex: broadly obtuse to rounded to truncate            and rarely broadly acute, softly apiculate to occasionally            slightly emarginated, occasionally slightly praemorsus, and            tends to become revolute as the flower matures. petal            margin: mostly entire, and occasionally becoming slightly            undulate towards the apex. petaloid number: commonly 0 to            approximately 5, and most commonly approximately 2 per            flower on average. petaloid shape: highly variable, and most            commonly falcate. petaloid length: approximately 10 to 29 mm            across the arc. petaloid width: approximately 3 to 19 mm at            the widest point. petaloid texture: typically opaque,            glabrous, and soft. petaloid color (both sides): near            Red-Purple Groups 62A, 62B, 62C and 62D with Red-Purple            Group 62B and 62C being prominent, Red Group 49D to White            Group 155C and 155D towards the base, and Yellow Group 4C at            the very base. Also, some petaloids display areas of            Red-Purple Group 68A and 68B that appear as scattered darker            areas that typically are present on the inner surface and            towards the edges. lasting quality: blossoms commonly last            approximately 1-½ to 2 weeks on the plant depending upon            environmental conditions, and sometimes up to 10 days when            cut and placed in a vase. petal drop: very good, the petals            drop cleanly and freely. However, under prolonged rainy            growing conditions the petals may persist somewhat. stamen            number: approximately 100 on average. anther size:            immediately prior to and during anthesis approximately 1.2            to 2 mm in length. anther color: Greyed-Yellow Group 160A            and 160B when the flowers first open, and with changing            maturity Greyed-Orange Group 163C. filament length: variable            and commonly approximately 2 to 10 mm. filament color:            Yellow-Orange Group 20A near the base, thereafter towards            the anther Yellow-Orange Group 20B, and Yellow Group 13B and            13C immediately adjacent the anther. pollen: it appears that            viable pollen is formed in a sparse quantity, no active            pollen discharge is observed in the flowers, and when the            anther is crushed some yellow-orange pollen has been            observed. pistils: commonly approximately 32 to 40, and            approximately 37 on average. stigma size: commonly            approximately 0.5 to 0.9 mm in diameter, and approximately            0.7 mm on average. stigma color: Greyed-Yellow Group 162A.            style length: commonly approximately 8 to 11 mm,            approximately 9 mm on average, and commonly with kinks.            style color: near Greyed-Purple 185B and 185C through            Red-Purple Group 60B and 60C, and approaching Greyed-Purple            Group 185A with the lightest coloration being present at the            base. receptacle length: commonly approximately 7.5 to 9.5            mm, and approximately 8.5 mm on average. receptacle width:            commonly approximately 6.2 to 7.5 mm, and approximately 6.5            mm on average. receptacle texture: glaucous with a waxy            coating, commonly smooth over approximately 75 percent of            the surface, the lower 25 percent of the surface commonly            bears scattered minute stiff reddish glandular hairs and            occasional prickles having lengths of approximately 0.1 to 1            mm and a coloration of near Greyed-Purple Group 187B that            are more common on the lower approximately 10 to 15 percent            of the surface. receptacle color: near Green Group 143A and            143B.-   Development:    -   -   Vegetation.—vigorous and strong.        -   Blossoming.—abundant and substantially continuous during the            growing season.        -   Resistance to diseases.—excellent with respect to blackspot.        -   Resistance to pests.—excellent with respect to rose midge.        -   Formation of hips/seeds.—none observed to date when grown in            a greenhouse, and when grown outdoors a small quantity of            fruit has set. It is not known whether such fruit is viable.

The ‘Radsweet’ variety has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions to date. Accordingly, it is possible that thephenotypic expression may vary somewhat with changes in light intensityand duration, cultural practices, and other environmental conditions.

1. A new and distinct shrub rose plant characterized by the followingcombination of characteristics: (a) abundantly and substantiallycontinuously forms attractive single blossoms that are light pink incoloration, (b) exhibits compact, spreading, and mounding growth habit,(c) forms vigorous vegetation, (d) forms attractive leatherymedium-green foliage with a matte finish, and (e) exhibits excellentresistance to blackspot and rose midge; substantially as herein shownand described.